Metals and their Uses

Extracting Metals

Ores are naturally occuring rocks that contain metal or metal compounds in sufficent amounts to make it worthwhile extracting them.

Most everyday metals are mixtures called alloys.

The earths crust contains metals and metal compounds

When found in the earth they are often mixed with other substances- Too become useful they must be extracted from whatever they are mixed with

Ores are mined. They may need to be concentrated before the metal is extracted and purified.

Reactivity and Extraction Method

Metals are produced when metal oxides are reduced (have their oxygen removed)

The reduction method depends on the reactivity of the metal

Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium are extracted by electrolysis

Zinc, Iron, Tin, Lead are extracted by reaction with carbon or carbon monoxide

Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum are extracted in various ways

Gold, because it is so unreactive is found as the native metal and not as a compound. It does not need to be chemically extracted from its ore.

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Transition Metals

The transition metals are placed in the periodic table in a large block between groups 2 and 3.,Most metals including iron, titanium and copper are transition metals,They are good conductors of heat and electricity,Can be hammered or bent into shape easily

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Extracting Metals and Making Alloys

Iron

Iron is extracted from iron ore in a blast furnace. Iron ores contain iron oxide. The oxygen must be removed from the iron oxide to leave the iron behind. Reactions in which oxygen is removed are called reuduction reactions

Carbon is more reactive than iron, so it can push out of displace the iron from iron oxide.

Iron Oxide + Carbon > Iron + Carbon Dioxide

In this reaction, the iron oxide is reduced to iron and the carbon is oxidised to carbon dioxide

In the blast furnace, it is so hot that carbon monoxide will also reduce to iron oxide

Iron oxidee + carbon monoxide > Iron + carbon dioxide

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Copper

Copper is soft and easily bend and so is a good conductor of electricity, which makes it useful for wiring.

Copper is also a good conductor of heat and it does not react with water. This makes it useful for plumbing, and making pipes and tanks.

Copper Ores

Some copper ores are copper-rich (they have a high concentration of copper compounds.

Copper can be extracted form these ores by heating them in a furncace, a process called smelting.